




MR. PROCTOR'S 



AGRICULTURAL ADDRESS. 






1844. 



' 







ADDRESS 






ESSEX AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY, 



SEPTEMBER 25, 1844 




/ 

JOHN W. PROCTOR 



PUBLISHED BY ORDER OF THE SOCIETY. 



^^., 



IT; ^883" *j 



SALEM : 

PRINTED AT THE GAZETTE OFFICE, 
1845. 



MR. PROCTOR'S ADDRESS. 



Gentlemen : 

The invitation to address you, on this the Farmer's 
holyday, has been accepted by me, with much hesitation. 
Not because I doubt the propriety of the occasion, or the 
importance of the objects for which you have assem- 
bled ; but because I feel my inability to present anything 
of value or of interest, to experienced men like your- 
selves, on a subject which has been exhausted by the 
varied illustrations of the most gifted minds, ar:J which 
more than all others demands personal knowledge of 
facts. 

1 have seen just enough of farming, to learn, that no 
man can fully understand the profession of a farmer, 
without serving an apprenticeship for more than one 
term of seven years in the actual use of the farmer's 
implements. I know that much may be learned from 
books, and the various publications that are daily issuing 
from the press ; that many of these contain the best ex- 
perience of those most competent to instruct; the es- 
sence of agricultural science; — but to determine when 
and how this essence is to be administered, here is the 
difficulty. 

This knowledge can only be attained by actual labor ; 
by putting the hand to the plough — the shoulder to the 
wheel — and the hoe to the surface. As soon should I 
expect a man to be skillful in the management of a ship, 
who had never been upon the water; or expert in 
chemical experiments, who had never been in a labora- 
tory; as to understand the necessary processes of 
farming, without actual personal experience in them. 

To this experience I make no pretensions. What I 



4 MR. PROCTOR S ADDRESS. 

learnt, when a boy, under the direction of a father who 
was then considered a good farmer, is now so far obso- 
lete, that it may not be used. I therefore hope you 
will pardon my presumption in presenting such views, 
as I have been able to cull from the experience of oth- 
ers. If I can be so fortunate as to make any sugges- 
tions that may not before have occurred to you; — or to 
present any reasons for a reconsideration of the opinions 
heretofore entertained, I shall feel myself amply re- 
warded. Having been somewhat intimately connected 
with the concerns of this Society from its commence- 
ment, I did not feel at liberty to withhold any effort in 
my power to advance its interests. 

We have come together as farmers, on this anniver- 
sary, to compare the results of our experience, and if 
possible to mutually aid and instruct each other. I 
trust the audience will bear in mind the remark of the 
learned President Quincy, " that in the every day la- 
bors of agriculture, there is something too rough for a 
polished discourse, — too common for one that is elevat- 
ed, — and too inseparable from soil and its composts, to 
be treated to the general ear, without danger of offence 
to that fastidiousness of fancy, which is miscalled refine- 
ment." 

It will be my endeavor to present such ideas as have 
occurred to me as pertinent, in the plainest possible 
manner, without any attempt at rhetorical flourish or 
imaginative ornament. Such ornaments would be as 
misplaced, at a business meeting of farmers, as would a 
ruffle shirt or a gold ring, on the person actually em- 
ployed in digging a ditch — or any other labor of the 
field. 

It is about one quarter of a century since this Society 
was organized. By the generous contributions of its 
members ; the fostering bounty of the State ; and the 
fidelity of those who have managed its concerns, it has 
continued strengthening with its years, making liberal 
appropriations annually, always limiting its expenses 
within its income. In so doing, it has set an example 
to farmers generally, worthy of imitation. 



MR. PROCTOR S ADDRESS. O 

Most of those who were active at its commencement, 
have either ceased from their labors entirely, or are 
now reminded by their whitening locks and tremulous 
limbs, that their places are soon to be filled by younger 
and more efficient laborers ; — enough of whom we hope 
will always be found ready to enlist in so reasonable a 
service. Here let me remind the young men of the 
County, that the honor of worthily wearing a certificate 
of membership in this Society is quite as creditable as 
the most glittering tinsel or splendid plume that ever was 
mounted. 

It has seemed to me that a retrospective view of the 
Agriculture of the County during this period might be 
an appropriate theme for this occasion. By comparing 
the condition of our farms as they then were, with what 
they now are ; by contrasting the modes of culture then 
pursued with those now most approved; by setting side 
by side the implements of husbandry used by our fath- 
ers with those now in use; — we may see whether or 
not encouragement is offered for perseverance in our 
exertions. We want the history of the past, because 
" it is pleasant to call to recollection efforts originating 
in good intentions and directed with generous regard 
to the common good." We want it, because the history 
of the past is " the only sure guide" for the future. 

In whatever we engage, it is well occasionally to ex- 
amine the grounds on which we stand, and to state the 
account of profit and loss. In this way alone, can any 
business be safely and understandingly pursued. 

This Society received its first and best impulses from 
its first President, the venerable Timothy Pjckering. 
Retired from the agitating scenes of public life, and 
the harassing excitements of political controversy, he 
applied the energies of his powerful mind to his favorite 
pursuit, agricultural improvement. For this he had 
ever entertained a strong inclination, — and from his 
early years, by observations and experiments, had been 
storing up facts for future application. 

Notwithstanding others may have done much to ad- 
vance its interests, it is not too much to say of him, that 



6 mr. proctor's address. 

he did more than all others. Having had the privilege 
of his intimate acquaintance for ten years or more, as 
secretary, and as his associate on the committee for 
viewing farms, I speak with confidence of what he did: — 
and I take pleasure in acknowledging that my admira- 
tion of his example in this pursuit, has ever had a strong 
influence on my own mind in its favour. 

The first movements towards the establishment of the 
Society, as I am informed, were made in 1818, by about 
twenty practical farmers assembled at Topsfield,* who 
unanimously invited Col. Pickering to be their Presi- 
dent. He may be said to have prepared the soil, — fur- 
nished and planted the seed, which others have only 
cultivated. He was a careful observer of nature, and 
drew wise lessons from his own untaught experience. 
He was never satisfied with superficial inquiry, but 
carefully looked into the connection between cause and 
effect. Because a practice had been continued for a 
series of years, was not a sufficient reason for his adopt- 
ing it. Always ready to receive suggestions from 
others, he would cheerfully yield his assent, when con- 
vinced of their utility. He was a man who thought for 
himself, and bowed to no man as his master. A refer- 
ence to many of the maxims that he uttered, and plans 
that he advocated, will show that he was in advance of 
the age in which he lived. I have ever esteemed the 
hints and observations that fell from him at our meet- 

* The names of the gentlemen who constituted this meeting, were, 

John Adams of Andover. Aaron Perley of Boxford. 

Hobart Clark " John Peabody of Topsfield. 

Robert Dodge of Newbury. Ichabod Tucker of Salem. 

Temple Cutler of Hamilton. Enoch Tappan of Newbury. 

David Cummins of Salem. Stephen Tappan " 

Paul Kent of Newbury. Jacob Towne, Jr. of Topsfield. 

James Kimball of Bradford. Eleazer Putnam of Danvers. 

Elisha Mack of Salem . Andrew Nichols " 

Orlando B. March of Newbury. Daniel Putnam " 

Stephen Mighill of Rowley. George Osgood " 

Amos Perley of Boxford. 

Incorporated June 12, 1818. The first Exhibition was at Topsfield, in Oc- 
tober, 1820. 



MR. PROCTOR S ADDRESS. 7 

ings, and in our journeys to visit the farms of the 
County, as among the most valuable lessons ever taught 
to the farmers of Essex. I know of no man in Massa- 
chusetts, unless I may except Mr. Lowell, of Roxbury, 
who did more to elevate the character of the farmer, 
and instruct him in his vocation. Fortunate were our 
farmers, in having devoted teachers, like these, with 
souls above all sinister purposes, and a readiness to 
communicate that knew no bounds. At an age when 
most men think their labors should be ended, he 
was in his prime in handling the plough, and instituting 
new experiments. He was not ashamed to soil his 
hands or his clothes with the labors of the field. He 
felt it no disgrace to work with those who work. In 
whatever he engaged, he always took the part of the 
working man. On the farm he was on a level with the 
farmer, — in the Senate there was none his superior. 

Many who hear me, cannot but remember the sim- 
plicity, energy and propriety, with which he spoke on 
every subject that was introduced ; and no one who 
listened to him with attention could fail to have been 
instructed by his remarks. He did not speak to display 
his own acquirements, but to instruct his hearers. And 
while all others were admiring his superior wisdom, he 
himself was the only one not conscious of it. Like 
Franklin he always had some story to the point, some 
illustration so apposite, that it would make an impres- 
sion that would be remembered. To these lessons, 
thus artlessly and informally given, among the think- 
ing, practical men in all parts of the County, do I 
attribute the germs of improvement, that have since 
been developed. 

In taking a general view of the present state of culti- 
vation within the County, it must be admitted, that 
much, very much remains to be done. That there is 
no one town, and scarcely any one farm, that has been 
made to yield more than half it is capable of yielding. 
But it cannot be denied, I think, that important improve- 
ments have been introduced within a few years ; — that 
much more enlightened views of culture are becoming 



8 MR. PROCTOR'S ADDRE3S. 

prevalent ; — that a spirit of inquiry is awakened that 
will be productive of good results ; — and that the origin 
of many of these benefits may be traced to the influence 
of Agricultural Associations. 

Look for example to the improved implements that 
have been brought into use, and particularly the 
ploughs, since the first trials at our Exhibitions ; — and 
if you remember those then in use, bring to recollection 
their forms, for I presume none such can now be found, 
(certainly not in the use of any one who has any claim 
to be considered a respectable farmer) and compare 
them with those now seen and used. Will any one for 
a moment hesitate to acknowledge the great superiority 
of the patterns of ploughs presented at our Exhibitions 
for two years last past. Superior in every point of view, 
both as to the manner in which the work is finished, and 
the ease with which it is done by man and beast, I 
cannot doubt at all, that one third part of the labor ne- 
cessary in this department of farming may be saved by 
these improvements. 

I am not unmindful of the variety of opinions that ex- 
ists as to the best model for a plough ; that what will be 
highly esteemed by one, will be thought worthless by 
another. So great is the variety of work to be done by 
the plough, and so various are the modes of performing 
it, that it is necessary to settle in the first place, how 
the furrow is to be cut and laid, and then select the im- 
plement that will do it in the best manner. This hav- 
ing been done, notwithstanding the sneers of foreigners 
upon our yankee implements,* I say with confidence, it 
will be difficult to construct ploughs better adapted to 
the purpose, than some we now have. 

Possibly there may be those who will admit the fact 
of the superiority of the implements, but still deny that 

* This remark alludes to the account of a trial of ploughs lately in England, 
at which the American Ploughs are spoken of as altogether inferior to the 
English Ploughs. The American ploughs are designed to cut a loide furrow 
and lay it flat ; the English ploughs are designed to cut a narroio furrow, and 
set it on edge, at an angle of 45° ; — each good for the object in view, but not 
calculated for a different object. The English ploughs and the Scotch ploughs, 
that I have seen, for our work, are far inferior to our own. 



MR. PROCTOR S ADDRESS. 9 

this superiority is the consequence of these Exhibitions. 
To my mind it is a direct consequence. The premiums 
offered operated as a stimulus for improvement, and 
elicited ingenuity in the introduction of such improve- 
ments. One improvement paved the way for others ; 
— different artists endeavored to excel each other, — 
and thus by compounding and combining the better 
points of each, have the present perfect implements 
been perfected. Our farmers seeing the superiority of 
these implements at these Exhibitions, have promptly 
seconded the movements of the makers, and brought 
them into use in the community. If no other benefit 
had accrued from the Exhibitions, than the introduction 
to general use, of the improved ploughs, it might well 
be contended that the balance would be in their favor. 

It is now well understood that one of the most valua- 
ble improvements in the structure of the plough that has 
been mad <, consists in forming the mould board so that 
it will pass through the furrow with least resistance, 
laying it smooth without being liable to clog. Col. 
Pickering states that forty years ago, while in Pennsyl- 
vania, he observed this characteristic in the plough. 
Afterwards, in a conversation with Mr. Jefferson, he 
found that he had noticed the same thing, and made a 
communication on the subject to the Philosophical Soci- 
ety. Col. P. describes the rule of construction as fol- 
lows : — 

" Having fixed a straight line, by one cut of a saw 
" from the upper corner of the mould board behind to 
" its point forward, — cut away the wood above and be- 
" low that line in such manner, that when finished if 
" you carry a straight rule from the fore to the hind 
" part, keeping it all the way at right angles with the 
" straight line, it shall touch the face of the mould 
" board, in its whole breadth, in straight lines, through 
" its entire winding, so that its upper corner behind shall 
" overhang the lower sufficiently to effect a complete 
" turning of the furrow slice." 

Thus you see the best minds have condescended to 
notice small things ; and by so doing, have done a more 
2 



10 MR. proctor's address. 

valuable service to the country at large, than has been 
realized from the expenditure of millions in preparation 
for the destruction of our fellow beings. 

In connection with the structure of ploughs best 
adapted to our use, allow me for a moment to ask your 
attention to the sub -soil plough, with which I presume 
you are but little, if any acquainted. Although known 
for years in Europe, and in some parts of our own coun- 
try, I am not aware that it has been much used in this 
County. It is made to follow in the furrow directly 
after the common surface plough, loosening and moving 
the earth to the depth of six or eight inches below the 
first furrow, without bringing any part of it to the sur- 
face. The advantage to be derived from such loosen- 
ing is, that the superabundant moisture settles down to 
the bottom of the furrow, and there is a constant opera- 
tion of the atmosphere which gradually converts it into 
productive soil. It thus produces all the benefits of 
deep ploughing, without the disadvantage of the admix- 
ture of an undue proportion of unproductive ingredients 
in the soil. The soil thus moved will afford space for 
the extension of the roots or fibres of the plants, so that 
in seasons of drought, they will be less likely to fail. 
And the ultimate consequence will be, if the land is 
properly manured, an additional depth to the soil, — 
say instead of 6 or 7 inches, there will be found 10 or 
12 inches. For root crops, and many others, such an 
- alteration must be of great value. Where this process 
of sub-soil ploughing has been tried for a number of 
years successively, and the sub-soil has been gradually 
mixing with the upper soil, the whole has been found 
so completely changed, as to be capable of producing 
crops that could not before have been cultivated to any 
advantage. 

Mr. Phinney of Lexington, to whom the agricultural 
community are under great obligations for his numerous 
and well conducted experiments, particularly those 
in the management of grass lands, first brought the sub- 
soil ploughs into use in this vicinity, about three or four 
years since. The pattern then used has been much im- 



MR. PROCTOR'S ADDRESS. 11 

proved by different manufacturers — some specimens of 
which have this day been exhibited and tried. I learn 
that several farmers in the county have been trying 
these ploughs, on their farms the present season. Mr. 
Phinney, who has used this plough on many acres of his 
own farm, informed me that the productive quality of his 
soil, for many crops, had been increased fifty per cent by 
its use.* On a question of practical cultivation there is 
no man's opinion more worthy of regard. Are there not 
many acres of the flat lands in Ipswich, Newbury, Ando- 
ver, and other towns in the County, that might be greatly 
improved by this process? Are there not many acres 
that for want of it have heretofore been considered of very 
little value ? Certain it is, that the most casual obser- 
ver, as he passes along through the County, sees four 

* In a recent letter received from Mr. Phinney, he says, " I have used the 
sub-soil plough some three or four years, and such is the estimate in which I 
hold this important implement, that I should consider it a great piece of improv- 
idence to put in a crop, without first subsoiling the ground. The character of 
our soil and climate are both such, being subject to the extremes of wet and dry, 
as to render the use of the sub soil plough of more essential benefit here than in 
England, and if one half the effects from its use, said to be produced in that 
country, are realized here, no farmer should be without a sub-soil plough. — 
The substratum with us is either a hard gravel or clay. Both are greatly 
benefitted by the use of this plough. In case of too much wet, the redundancy 
of water is absorbed by loosening the sub-soil — when too dry the plants can 
find support by being enabled to extend their roots deeper in search of moisture. 
Our crops, particularly our potatoes and other root crops as they are called, often 
suffer from di - oughts that almost invariably occur in our climate in August or 
September. A failure of these crops is oftener owing to this than any other 
cause. Without resorting to the test of experiment, can any rational farmer 
doubt that this obstacle to the productiveness of our soil may be, in a great 
measure overcome by loosening the subsoil. In our old fields, which have 
been cultivated for many years, with the use of no other than the common 
plough, an under crust has been formed by the travelling of the oxen and move- 
ment of the plough for a long time, at a few inches below the surface. This 
is generally so hard as to be impenetrable by the roots of plants, and hence the 
necessity of breaking this crust by the subsoil plough. A soil having close, 
hard gravel, or a stiff clay bottom, may perhaps derive equal benefit from the 
use of the subsoil plough. Most of my observations, with regard to its bene- 
ficial effects have been upon the former, having but little land with a clay bot- 
tom. The objections to deep ploughing, that exist in the minds of some farm- 
ers, cannot apply to sub-soil ploughing, inasmuch as the poorer part of the soil 
is loosened but not brought to the surface." 

Mr. P. states that he has used a sub-soil plough constructed by Prouty & 
Mears, and is pleased with it. The best specimen of sub-soil plough that I 
have seen, was made by Mr. C. Howard, of Hingham- This obtained the first 
premium of the State Society the present year. It is of medium size, and can 
be procured for about $ 10. Ruggles & Co. have also made a variety of pat- 
terns of these ploughs. 



12 mr. proctor's address. 

acres unproductive, to one that appears to be rewarding 
the husbandman for his labor. And may it not be that 
the cause of this barrenness is the want of the applica- 
tion of this labor in a proper manner ? We do not pre- 
sume to say that every soil can be regenerated, by the 
use of the sub-soil plough, any more than that every dis- 
ease can be relieved by a single medicine ; but we have 
great confidence that it will be found an effectual reme- 
dy, where all others have failed. Were our farmers half 
as ready to experiment upon their lands, as they are upon 
themselves or their families, with the nostrums that are 
advertised at every corner, they would find the hazard 
much less, and the benefits much greater. 

In this County, I believe, the example was first set, 
of offering premiums for the entire management of 
farms, including lands, stock, buildings, and all the 
incidentals appurtenant. For a number of years this 
class of premiums were received with much favor and 
attended with the most encouraging success. They at- 
tracted the attention of our best farmers, and most 
public spirited fellow-citizens, who promptly invited 
examination, and freely communicated the results of 
their experience. In this way was elicited much valu- 
able information. The modes of managing by the most 
successful cultivators wera opened to all. And even 
these cultivators themselves were enabled to improve 
upon themselves, when called upon to state with pre- 
cision their own processes of cultivation. What if 
these communications have not all the skill of arrange- 
ment, and the abstract niceties of distinction, that may 
be found in scientific treatises ; still they manifest good 
practical sense, in a form too that is readily understood 
and received with favor. They leave impressions on 
the mind, in which more confidence is placed, than in 
any speculative conclusions. They are like the direct 
testimony of a witness of high character. 

It is much to be regretted that the interest of our 
farmers in this class of premiums has fallen off so en- 
tirely, that for three years past, there have been no 
satisfactory claims to justify their award. Perhaps this 



mr. proctor's address. 13 

may be explained, in part, by the fact that many of our 
most enterprising farmers have already been competi- 
tors, and therefore do not feel at liberty again to pre- 
sent their farms ; and by the apprehension of others, 
that their farms will not bear a comparison with those 
that have been exhibited. Such apprehensions should 
not be indulged. He that hath one talent, and proper- 
ly uses it, is entitled to as much credit as he that hath 
ten. Certain am I, that it has ever been the desire of 
those who distributed these premiums to regard with 
favor the smaller competitors. 

This plan of offering premiums was for several years 
adopted by the State Society ; — and more than once 
have their first premiums been awarded to farms in 
Essex, and to those too, which had not been brought 
forward in their own county. Within a few years an 
intelligent agent* has been in the employ of the State 
Society, to personally inspect such farms as may be pre- 
sented to his notice, and to report such things as may 
be found of value. If our farmers are still to be so dif- 
fident as to be unwilling to come forward with their 
statements and their claims, is it not worthy the consid- 
eration of trie Trustees, whether some plan of this kind, 
of condensing information, could not be advantageously 
adopted? Beyond all question, there are within the 
knowledge of many of our farmers facts and processes of 
tillage, of great value and importance to be known. And 
so they will remain from generation to generation, until 
their diffidence is removed, or their enclosures are entered 

Who that has ever read the valuable documents given 
to the public by the late commissioner on agriculture in 
Massachusetts, but has regretted that mistaken economy, 
that compelled him to cut short his labors in the midst, 
before the work was half completed ? True economy 
takes into view the object as well as the amount expen- 
ded ; — and it oftentimes is the wisest economy to appro- 
priate liberally, when the object is of unquestionable 
utility. If our legislators are to be so much more anx- 
ious to retain their own seats, than to benefit the public 

* Hon. Morrill Allen, of Pembroke. 



14 mr. proctor's address. 

by reasonable appropriations for useful purposes, how 
could our county societies better apply a part of the 
means they may command if they will, than by perfect- 
ing a plan so well conceived 1 If nothing else could be 
done, might they not require of each of the Trustees, 
annually, an intelligent well digested statement of the 
progress and produce of agriculture in their respective 
towns. Taking care in the choice of these officers to 
select those competent to the performance of this duty. 
By so doing a mass of information would be accumulated, 
that would richly repay the labor of obtaining it. Spe- 
cimens of this kind of information may be seen in the an- 
nual publication of the Commissioner of patents. But 
it is impossible for one man, to survey the whole country 
with that accuracy, to give entire confidence in his esti- 
mates. Every town at least, should have its own agent, 
well instructed in accumulating statistical information. 
This is done in other branches of labor — why should it 
not be done by the farmer ? Ask any farmer in this 
house, how many tons of hay, or how many bushels of 
corn, or what quantity of any other kind of produce, is 
raised in his town, or in the county, and I doubt wheth- 
er he will be able to answer you half right. There is 
no want of ability among our farmers ; but there is a 
degree of careless inattention to their own interests ; a 
disposition to go on as others have gone before them, 
heedless of inquiry — that needs correction. Suppose 
the merchant should conduct his business in this loose 
way, where would he find himself, at the close of the 
year ? Precision and accuracy are as necessary in farm- 
ing as any other employment. 

The improvement of the animals with which our farms 
are stocked, is a primary object of attention at our cattle 
shows. To this a large proportion of the bounties of the 
society are appropriated. From the farmer's stock, di- 
rectly or indirectly, is derived a large portion of his in- 
come. It therefore is to him a matter of first importance, 
that he have correct ideas on this subject. Much has 
been written in relation to it, and, without doubt, opin- 
ions have often been modified by interested considera- 



MR. proctor's address. 15 

tions; but still we do not find any essential improvement 
among the animals on our farms generally. Now and 
then we see a few that have been reared with care and 
attention, but the great mass of our animals may be said 
to come forward in the natural way. 

Public spirited citizens, with abundant means at com- 
mand, have introduced choice specimens of the improved 
breeds from Europe. In so doing they have done a com- 
mendable service, by showing what may be accomplished 
by perseverance in the application of scientific princi- 
ples. For these efforts to diffuse information, they mer- 
it the thanks of those who are less favored with the 
means of making such experiments. Of the superiority 
of these animals in many respects, and particularly in 
their size, and early maturity of growth, there can be no 
doubt. The testimony on these points is too full to be 
questioned. And of their having been made such by 
care in the selections and crossings, there can be as lit- 
tle doubt. Nature does not refuse to be assisted in the 
perfection of her works. By the application of the in- 
dustry and skill of man, may all the productions of na- 
ture, whether animal or vegetable, be essentially modified 
and improved. 

The point to which I particularly ask your attention 
is, whether it is better for our farmers to endeavor to 
stock their farms with what are commonly known as the 
improved breed of animals from England, such as the 
Durham short horn, and others ; or whether their at- 
tention had better be directed mainly to improving what 
are called, our native, breed of animals ? True it is, that 
these came originally from that country which is the 
mother of us all, (and were there known as the Devon 
breed, I believe,) but they have been so long settled and 
have become so acclimated, that their peculiarities are 
as distinct, as are those of the people. 

In instituting this inquiry I have no particular theory 
to support, or party to serve. My only object is to elicit 
the truth; and this I must do by comparing the facts 
stated by those who have observed with discrimination 
and impartiality. 



16 MR. proctor's address. 

First, as to working oxen; is there any reason to be- 
lieve that better animals for these purposes can be found, 
than are those of our native beed ? I have never seen 
any oxen superior for labor to the best specimens of those 
raised in the county of Worcester. I speak of this coun- 
ty with emphasis, because much more attention is there 
paid to the rearing and training of these animals, than 
in Essex. Their steers (particularly in the town of Sut- 
ton,) are made to know and take their places with as 
much regularity as boys at school. Many fine spe- 
cimens of animals well trained have been exhibited from 
Andover, Haverhill, and other towns; and without doubt, 
such can be found in almost every town in this and other 
counties ; but in none in such perfection and abundance 
as in some of the towns about Worcester. 

In proof of the opinion expressed of the superiority of 
our cattle for labor, may I not refer to the numerous teams 
that have competed in our ploughing-matches in years 
past, varying from thirty to fifty in a year ? When has 
it happened that one of our first premiums — I may almost 
say any of our premiums — have been obtained by oxen, 
other than our own native breed ? Or when has it been 
known in this county or elsewhere, that premiums for 
best working oxen have been awarded to others, when 
our own were admitted as competitors? I am not aware 
that this point has ever been considered in making these 
awards. This does not in any manner weaken the force 
of the argument. The inference I think is, that had they 
been actually superior, some of those shrewd practical 
men who have contended for premiums, and who know 
how to manage these things to the best advantage, would 
have been likely to have discovered it. I think also, 
they would ere this have been more generally used. I 
therefore, think, that their superiority is not proved by 
their works. On the contrary, that our native breed are 
decidedly preferable for labor to any others that I have 
seen. 

How is it in regard to milch cows, for dairy purposes ? 
An animal which when viewed in all her relations is not 
second in importance to any other. In regard to these, 



MR. Proctor's address. 17 

the county of Essex may speak with some confidence. 
Here have been raised and exhibited numerous cows 
that will bear a fair comparison with those of any other 
county. Instance the Oakes Cow and the Nourse Cow, 
and the present year the Pond Cow, (all of which were 
from Danvers, I believe,) they have not been excelled 
by any others. Two of these yielded from 1() to 20 
pounds of butter a week, for many weeks together, of 
superior quality, and this without extraordinary feed 
or pampering ; and the other, 14 quarts of milk per 
day, for ten months together. Statements of similar 
produce have I noticed within a year, of cows of native 
breed at Springfield and Northampton.* 

If such animals can be found in this manner, without 
any extra care in rearing, what might they be made, by 
the application of the skill that has been used in perfect- 
ing the foreign breeds ? I am not unmindful that single 
instances may be found of the short-horn cows that have 
yielded from thirty to thirty-six quarts of milk per day; 
and of flocks that have produced larger quantities of 
milk, in iveight and measure, than have been obtained from 
the same number of native cows. In the notices of 
these cows that I have seen, the quantity of their milk is 
usually spoken of, and not the quantity of butter it will 
yield. Now every intelligent observer knows that 20 
quarts of milk from some cows will yield more butter 
then 30 quarts of milk from other cows ; so that the 
quantity only gives but an imperfect idea of the value of 
their produce. Take into view also the expense of feed 
required, and their comparative capacity to endure the 
severities of our climate, and the peculiarities of their 
habits ; and it may well be questioned whether the for- 
eign breeds are of so much value upon our farms, as 
those that might be raised from the best of our own 
stock. All that is wanted is the same care in selection 
and vigilance in rearing that have been applied to the 
others, and there will be no deficiency in an adequate 
supply of milk for our dairies. 

* In the Massachusetts Ploughman, a paper worthy to be read by every 
Farmer. 



18 MR. proctor's address. 

Why is it that so little care is given to the selection 
of milch cows, when there is so much choice in them ; 
— both in regard to the feed required, and the milk pro- 
duced ? It costs no more to support a cow that will 
yield from 16 to 20 quarts of milk per day, than one that 
will yield 10 quarts. The one merely earns her living, 
the other not only supports herself, but him who feeds 
her ; — and if care is taken to rear her progeny, will en- 
sure a perpetuity of her good qualities. 

In connection with this idea, it will be remembered 
by some of the Trustees, that as early as 1823, premi-* 
urns were offered for improving our native breed of neat 
cattle, to be paid in 1823. And it was then remarked,* 
"that it would avail little to bestow premiums merely 
for the best that shall be produced, unless something is 
done to preserve the breed ; for such premiums might 
be given for a century, without effecting any real im- 
provements; and thus as to live stock, defeat the object 
for which the society was formed." I now appeal to the 
Trustees to consider the principles then stated, and to 
inquire how far they have been applied. Have we not 
gone on from year to year, almost exactly in the way 
then stated to be of no use ? How can it be expected 
that our stock will be improved, unless care is taken to 
raise from those of best qualities, their offspring of best 
promise ? Every farmer recognizes the principle that a 
good cow is most likely to have a good calf. They act 
upon this principle in selecting their calves to be raised. 
This then is the ground upon which your premiums 
should be offered; not only for the best animals, but for the 
best efforts manifested in improving the breed of the animals, 
with a statement that shall enable others to imitate these 
efforts. 

So distrustful am I of my own competency to express 
an opinion on this subject, that I beg leave to corrobo- 
rate my own views by citing the opinion of Mr. J. Low- 
ell, as expressed by him in a report made at Brighton, 
October, 1822. Says he : " Although the milch cows 

* By Col. Pickering — then President of the Society. 



MR. PROCTOR S ADDRESS. 



19 



"of Great Britain and the Netherlands are in general far 
"superior to our own ; I-have never seen an imported 
"cow of equal merit with some of our own that have been 
"here offered. So fully .am I convinced of this truth, as 
"well as that our country possesses a very considerable 
"number of these fine cows, that I am persuaded if Great 
"Britain or the Netherlnnds were to send us ten cows, 
"each of the best quality, New England alone could 
"furnish twenty which would equal them in the quanti- 
fies of milk, butter, and cheese, which they would re- 
spectively produce." 

To this he adds, "If every owner of a good and very 
"superior cow, would consider her in a proper light, not 
"merely as a valuable animal during her life, but as ca- 
"pable of improving his whole stock, if he will spare no 
"moderate expense in procuring calves from her of bulls 
"of an improved breed, we shall soon see our whole 
"stock gradually improve." 

It will be remembered by many who hear me, that in 
1825, a very full discussion of this question was had be- 
tween- Col. Pickering and Col. Powell, of Philadelphia, 
in the course of which Mr. Powell admits that the short- 
horns, so called are too large for the ordinary purposes 
of our farms, and then adds, "by an immutable law of 
nature, which never ceases to affect the animal not less 
than the vegetable creation, in a few generations, their 
size will be accommodated to the food given for their 
support." Mr. Pickering replies, "we now have a breed 
exactly accommodated to the food given for its support, 
and inquires whether it is more eligible to propagate a 
gigantic breed which "in a few generations" may be 
sufficiently reduced in size, and thus accommodated to 
our service and means of keeping them, or with spirit 
and resolution, to engage at once, in the laudable and 
profitable enterprise of improving our native cattle by 
a careful selection of the best males and females, and 
thus "in a few generations" raise them not to gigantic 
sizes, but to a high pitch of perfection, for the primary 
objects of New England farmers, labor, beef, and rich 
milk for butter and cheese." In expressing this opinion 



20 MR. proctor's address. 

of the equality not to say superiority of our own milch 
cows, and their peculiar fitness for our farmers' dairies, 
I know that I am treading upon the toes of high author- 
ity, and exposing myself to criticism and remark. I 
know there are those, who will give you the pedigree of 
their stock, with as much precision, as ever did a Jew of 
his family, and that their notions of value are much mod- 
ified, by the number of degrees they have taken, or the 
high sounding epithets applied to their names. This 
practice of tracing their history is commendable. But a 
high sounding title will never alter the character of a 
coif, of whatever description he may be. 

I know that at our cattle shows we admire and give a 
preference to those sleek and beautiful animals, that are 
as it were polished for the exhibition; and that we should 
feel grateful to those who thus show us what can be ef- 
fected by care; — but still we do not find in them the real 
stamina for our dairies. As soon should I think of select- 
ing from the brilliants of a ball room, the best manager 
of a dairy. 

The prices at which these animals are holden, consti- 
tute a serious obstacle in the way of their being procured 
by common farmers. I cannot see any good reason why 
such extravagant prices as $1000, or more, for a single 
animal should be countenanced. Our farmers cannot af- 
ford to appropriate the entire income of the year, to the 
purchase of a single animal. " I have found," says Gov. 
Hill, (a very intelligent and safe guide on agricultural 
subjects,) " it to be the invariable safe course, for all 
who have no property they can afford to throw away, to 
purchase no article or commodity not absolutely neces- 
sary, when that article or commodity bears an unusual 
price." * 

* In 18-37, at the suggestion of Col. Pickering, and by the liberality of 
Gorham Parsons, Esq., of Byfield, an attempt was made to introduce the Al- 
derney breed of cattle at West Newbury. I have received from my friend, 
Col. Newell, some interesting facts in relation to these animals, many of which 
are now there. He thinks them superior for their milking properties; but in 
consequence of their inferiority of size and appearance, they have not readily 
come into favor. He thinks favorably of crossing the Alderney and the Ayr- 
shire breeds with our native stock, with a view to produce good cows for the 
Dairy. It seems to be the better opinion of those among us who have had 



MR. proctor's address. 21 

The use and improvement of wet meadow and swamp 
lands, early occupied the attention of this society, and 
has afforded some of the best examples of successful ex- 
periments. A brief reference to these may be useful, 
not only in showing how similar improvements may be 
made, for this is one of the most extensive fields for im- 
provements ; but in guarding against the misapplication 
of labor in mistaken modes of operation. In regard to 
these grounds, it should be borne in mind, that they vary 
quite as much in their texture and component parts, as 
do the upland soils ; and that it is necessary to vary the 
process of redemption accordingly. The foundation of all 
improvements in this kind of land, is first to free them 
of the superabundant water with which they are burden- 
ed. This must be thoroughly done, and in a manner 
that shall continue them free. Much labor has been lost, 
by temporary drains, that soon become impeded by grass, 
leaves, or other obstructions ; leaving the ground in as 
bad condition as at first. The same necessity that re- 
quired the drains to be made, demands that they should 
be continued open. When the water is removed, then 
the coarse grasses or meadow plants are to be destroyed, 
and the texture of the soil is to be brought into a condi- 
tion to support the growth of the upland grasses. In its 
meadow state it is too porous, too much like a honey- 
comb, for this purpose. It needs either to be wrought 
over or to have some other substances mixed with it to 
make its texture more compact. There is no want of 
vegetable matter or nutritive substances, the only thing 
necessary is to bring these into a position that they can 
be successfully used. Various modes of doing this, have 
been attempted, with more or less success ; probably 
from a want of proper attention to the qualities of the 
land sought to be reclaimed. Some meadows are com- 
posed mostly of decayed vegetable and animal substances 

most experience, so far as I have been able to learn their opinions, that by a 
judicious crossing of the best of the English animals with our own, a race may 
be produced of more value, and better adapted to the climate, than any now to 
be found. A very large proportion of the Durham cattle now to be found are 
of that coarse, elephantine character, that would not be admired or even endur- 
ed, by the best judges in England. 



22 mr. proctor's address. 

that have passed through a state of putrid fermentation, 
and as soon as the water is removed, and the particles 
of the soil are brought in close contact, are susceptible 
of being made very productive. Especially when a 
dressing of some appropriate manure is applied, adapted 
to stimulate the other parts to successful action. 

Others of a peaty texture, contain substances that have 
not been through the putrid fermentation, necessary be- 
fore it can be used as the food of plants, or the compo- 
nent parts of manure. These need to be exposed to the 
action of the atmosphere, and to have other substances 
mingled with them. 

The first attempts at improvement on these lands, to 
which our attention was called, were by Messrs. Osgood, 
of Andover, Putnam and Ingersoll,of Danvers, and others. 
These were made principally by draining, and by the ap- 
plication of sand and gravel to the surface. The expense 
of covering the sod with a sufficient depth of these ma- 
terials, to completely check the growth of the meadow 
grasses, operated a serious check upon improvements of 
the kind, and the care and attention necessary to conti- 
nue the water courses open, and the frequent repetition 
of a dressing of manure required, prevented an extensive 
application of this kind of improvement. Fine crops 
were in some instances produced ; but it is not expedi- 
ent for the farmer to spend his efforts in raising fine 
crops, when they cost more than they are worth. Such 
instances of culture, in the vicinity of his residence, may 
sometimes be justified by collateral considerations; but 
in general, it should be the aim of the farmer, that the 
produce should repay the expense of producing it. Oth- 
ers attempted improvements by paring and burning the 
surface ; and this was done in repeated instances with 
good success. Among the best experiments of this kind 
were those of Messrs. Osborn and Brown, of Saugus, and 
Mr. Newhall, of Lynnfield. I witnessed the crops on 
their lands, on the first and second year after they com- 
menced, and found them most luxuriant. What have been 
the subsequent crops, I am not informed. 

More recent experiments in reclaiming these lands, 



MR. proctor's address. 23 

have been made by turning over the sod, and mingling 
with it a sufficient quantity of loam, or other substance, 
to give it a consistency to support vegetation, and then 
cultivating it in a manner to preserve the remains of the 
decaying vegetable matter in the soil. Unquestionably, 
where the process of draining can be so complete as to 
admit of this, — this process of culture will be most eli- 
gible. For so much of the vegetable material as has been 
destroyed by fire, or otherwise removed, will in the course 
of time, need to be replaced for the renovation of the soil. 
Successful experiments in this way have been made by 
Messrs. D. P. King, of Dan vers, J. Marland, of Andover, 
and J. Newhall, of Lynnfield. Similar experiments with 
the best success, without the application of gravel, were 
made a number of years since on the farm of Mr. J. 
Nichols, in the south-westerly part of Salem. Here spe- 
cial care was taken to keep the ditches clear, and free 
of grass or leaves, so that no obstruction should remain 
to the perfect draining of the land. I refer to these in- 
stances of culture, as specimens of the practical applica- 
tion of the principles, but not as descriptive of all that 
has been done. The mode of management proper to be 
adopted, must depend upon the particular character of 
the meadow or soil, — upon the depth and component 
parts of the vegetable material ; — upon the nature of the 
sub-soil beneath; — upon the character of the springs that 
flow in from the adjoining hills; — and upon numerous other 
varying circumstances observable in particular cases, that 
cannot be anticipated or specified in any generalrules. In 
this as in all other farming processes, there is constant oc- 
casion for the application of good judgment and good sense. 
The application of theoretic'rules without these will often 
end in disappointed hopes. By good sense, I mean the 
right application of well established scientific principles. 
A most important use can be made of these bogs and 
reservoirs of vegetable matter, by taking therefrom at 
convenient times, supplies for the barn-yard, for the 
swine-pen, and the compost heap, all of which are indis- 
pensably necessary on every well managed farm. The 
experience of the last twenty-five years has taught much 



24 MR. proctor's address. 

in relation to the making of manures. The farmer who 
then made fifty loads of manure in a year would not now 
feel that he had done his duty, with less than two hun- 
dred loads. And no farmer does his duty who does not 
produce this quantity, or more. If you expect bountiful 
crops, you must feed the soil as bountifully with the 
necessary food of such crops. The primary vigor of our 
soil has been used up. Our success in cultivation de- 
pends mainly upon skill in preparation and application 
of manure. As well may you expect your beef or your 
mutton to be fatted by the air, as your land to be pro- 
ductive of good crops, without an ample supply of ma- 
nure. It was forcibly remarked by Mr. Gray, in his ad- 
dress to this society, in 1841, "These " unimproveable 
" lands," as they are styled, contain manure enough in 
" some sections to cover all our tilled lands a foot deep ; 
" manure enough to render every acre of the soil as fertile 
" as the prairies of the west ; manure enough to cause 
" two tons of hay to grow, where now grows but one, and 
" an equal increase in all other productions of the farm." 
From the chemical analyses that have been made within 
a few years, of different ingredients that may be found 
in our swamps, meadows, and marshes, capable of being 
converted into manures, there is reason to think that we 
have scarcely begun to find out the means of improving 
our soils within our reach. Further inquiries are proper 
to be made on this subject ; and it behooves our agri- 
cultural societies or the Slate, to see that it is done. If 
we could be assured that by proper application of labor 
and skill, the productive power of our soils might be 
doubled ; there would be no occasion to roam after more 
fertile fields, in other regions', to the hazard of the loss 
of those distinguishing traits of character, which consti- 
tute the charm of New England society. 

Much discretion is to be used in the adaptation of ma- 
nures to the different kinds of soil, and to the peculiarity 
of condition in which the soil is at the time of application. 
What will be life to one, will be death to another. Many 
of our farmers learn this, more or less, from their own 
personal experience, without knowing the reasons why 



MR. proctor's address. 25 

it is so. If they would take pains to look into and un- 
derstand these reasons, which can be done just as readi- 
ly, as they understand it is better to plant their corn in 
May, rather than in November, they might save much 
labor. Without doubt, many a farmer loses more than 
half his lafror applied on manures for the want of this 
knowledge. 

Public attention has lately been much called to the 
application of manures in a more condensed and con- 
centrated form, such as poudrette, guano, bone dust, $-c, 
divested of the coarser and unproductive ingredients. 
For gardening and city culture such manures may be 
highly valuable. But whether it will be in the power 
of our farmers generally, who rarely have spare funds 
for the purchase, to dress their lands in this way, has 
seemed to me questionable. The farmer should endeav- 
or to find within his own precinct the means of replen- 
ishing his soil. His main reliance, after having taken 
proper care of his barn-cellar, his barn-yard, and his 
pig-pen. should be on his collection of compost. It is 
believed that almost every farmer will find within his 
own limits, or in his immediate vicinity, abundant mate- 
rials for this purpose. When not necessarily employed 
in other things, his attention should always be given to 
the collecting or saving something that will increase his 
supply of manure. The careful cultivator will find many 
opportunities in the course of the year to add to this 
main-spring of good husbandry. " Let no man," says 
Mr. Quincy, who is equally at home on the farm, as in 
the College, " consider his barn-yard properly arrang- 
" ed, until he has a receptacle for his manure, water 
" tight at the bottom, and covered at the top ; — so that 
*' below nothing shall be lost by drainage, and above 
" nothing shall be carried away by evaporation." 

What would be said of that farmer who when he 
had raised his field of grain should suffer it to remain 
exposed until one half of it was scattered by the winds, 
or otherwise lost ? Do ws not often see a destruction 
equal to this, in their collections of manure ? Is it ex- 
travagant to sav that one half of the manure ordinarily 
4 " 



26 MR. proctor's^ address. 

made by the cattle on a farm is wasted ? Look to the 
common structure of barns, where the manure is thrown 
out to the sides, exposed to the sun and rain for half 
the year ; — or to the yards where the cows pass their 
nights in summer ; and compare the products of these 
barns, or these yards, at the end of the year, with re- 
ceptacles for the manure properly regulated, and I doubt 
whether there will remain half the quantity. Take into 
view further the increase that may be made by placing 
the cattle in position to preserve the liquids that are 
about every stall, by the aid of which mingled with earth 
may be made the best of manure, and it will not be too 
much to say that our farmers generally lose two thirds 
of the materials they have at command for enriching 
their lands. How many of them not satisfied with the 
losses thus accruing take special care to draw their ma- 
nure to the fields when made, and to lay it in a position 
that will effectually scatter a large proportion of the vir- 
tue that remains ? Or when they come to use it, spread 
it upon the surface and thus lose its fertilizing powers 1 
Again and again has it been demonstrated, when ma- 
nure is applied to land, its tendency is to ascend and not 
to descend. An examination of the sub-soils on lands 
that have long been under a state of high cultivation 
proves this. It is therefore indispensable in the appli- 
cation of manure to the best advantage, that it should 
be mingled with and covered by the earth.. Care also 
should be taken that it be properly pulverized or sub- 
divided, so that when mingled with the soil, the union 
be as perfect as possible. Recent experiments of Pro- 
fessor Liebeg, show that ammonia, or the power to 
produce this, is the principal fertilizing ingredient in 
manure. As much care, therefore, should be taken of 
this in the field, as in the smelling bottle at church. 

Clay, sand, and lime, are the principal ingredients in 
most of our soils. A due admixture and proportion of 
these is essential to successful cultivation. It was the 
remark of Mr. Fessenden, that " clay without sand, or 
" sand without clay, and both of these without lime, are 
11 like a stool intended for a tripod, with but one or two 



MR. proctor's address. 27 

" legs, worth little or nothing, till the missing part or 
"parts are supplied." Such modifications of the soil, 
with the application of such manures as are specially 
adapted to the crop sought to be raised, is the business 
of the intelligent (aimer. No man can make pretensions 
to this distinction, without the requisite qualifications. 
If a man offers his services to make your shoes, or to 
build you a cart, or to teach your children at school, 
you inquire into his qualifications to discharge these du- 
ties. Why should not the same inquiry be instituted, 
when he offers to cultivate your lands ? To constitute a 
good farmer requires a due admixture of scientific theory, 
practical skill, and common sense. The one without 
the others often misleads to visionary speculations, and 
thereby brings into contempt all scientific operations. 
I cannot better illustrate the benefits that may be 
derived from the proper preparation and application of 
manures, as compared with the heedless use ordinari- 
ly made, than by reference to the extraordinary crops 
obtained by gardeners and others from the careful culti- 
vation of small parcels. In every village may be found 
instances of such culture, where the profits accruing 
over and above the extra labor, are ten times as much 
as farmers usually realize from the same quantity of land. 
Possibly it may be said that the demand for such garden 
vegetables, as asparagus, lettuce, strawberries, $rc, from 
which the greatest profits have accrued, is of so limited 
a character, that few can find their account in this kind 
of cultivation. I will, therefore, refer to the cultivation 
of the onion, which is distinctly the business of the far- 
mers in my neighborhood, many of whom have more acres 
of onions than most farmers in the county have of Indian 
corn. The average yield of this crop is 300 bushels to 
the acre ; sometimes as high as 500, or 600 bu-mels. 
The ordinary expense of manure and labor to an acre 
may be estimated double that required for Indian corn ; — 
this estimate is believed to be ample to cover all that 
will be requisite, for a series of years, especially when 
it is taken into view that much of the labor of weeding 
and gathering may be done by children. For ten years 



23 MR. proctor's address. 

past from 30,000 to 60,000 bushels in a year have been 
raised in the single town of Danvers. The average val- 
ue of the crop when brought to the market is fifty cents 
per bushel, or $150 per acre. In what way can so fair 
a profit be realized from the land ? Take into view al- 
so the condition in which this crop leaves the land for 
other crops, actually benefitted, and it will be found one 
of the most advantageous crops that can be put upon the 
land. How happens it that these cultivators are thus 
successful. Is it not because they are careful in the 
preparation of their grounds, and in the selection and 
application of appropriate manures in a proper manner? 
Within my own remembrance, these same cultivators 
scarcely knew how to raise a bushel of onions, and 
thought their soil would not produce them. Would not 
the same kind of care find its reward in the cultivation 
of other crops ? Indian corn for example, this most lux- 
urious and valuable Yankee crop, thirty years since was 
estimated at an average of thirty bushels to the acre. 
Will our farmers be content with such an estimate, when 
double the quantity can readily be obtained by the same 
labor, with the application of proper skill and manure in 
the preparation and cultivation of the land ? The lesson 
to be drawn from these facts and considerations, is, cul- 
tivate so much land as can be well done and no more; and 
leave no part of the process of cultivation slightly performed. 
Neglect of this salutary rule is unquestionably the 
common error of our farmers. In the first place, they 
spend their means in procuring additional acres, thereby 
depriving themselves of the power of profitably cultivat- 
ing the few they had. This disposition to engross many 
acres, and to own, as is the desire of some, all that join 
them, is not only a private but a public evil. It checks 
enterprise and prevents the natural increase of popula- 
tion. Where lands are thus possessed, what chance is 
there for the enterprising young man to become a pro- 
prietor ? Can you not bring to recollection hundreds of 
acres that have thus for years, been excluded as it were 
from all useful purposes ? Within my own observation, 
I have known farms that remained for years in the hands 



MR. proctor's address. 29 

of one proprietor, when they came to be divided into 
the hands of five or six, to yield more on each part, than 
the whole did when held by one. By a proper division 
of our lands, allowing no one to engross more than he 
can judiciously manage, not only would our territory 
support a larger population, but the population itself, 
would be more independent. 

The proper appropriation of capital and labor on a 
farm may be illustrated by a comparison with the every 
day occurrence of the building of a house. Suppose a 
person of moderate means is about to erect a house, for 
the accommodation of his family, is it wise to put up the 
frame and covering of a building, so large that he cannot 
finish but a small part of it, leaving the front and cham- 
bers, a sort of dreary and desolate w r aste for swallows 
and vermin ; — or is it best to put up a tenement such 
as he has the means of furnishing and finishing in a de- 
cent and comfortable manner? No one who has ever 
noticed the contrast in such tenements, and many such 
can be found in almost every village, will hesitate to say 
that the wiser course will be to erect such an one as 
can be comfortably finished. Let the farmer apply this 
principle. Let him procure so much land as he can 
thoroughly cultivate, and apply himself to this. And as 
his means increase, so may his cultivation extend. Cap- 
ital and labor are the true sources of income. If con- 
centrated they produce more than when diffused. It is 
not the extent of lands that determines the farmer's pro- 
fits, but the State of culture to which he brings them. 
What were formerly sound rules of conduct, have now 
in many cases become almost obsolete. So many and 
so great have been the changes in the facilities of com- 
munication from place to place ; — in the transportation 
of commodities from one part of the country to another ; 
in the introduction of new varieties, and in the altera- 
tion of habits of living, that the course which was then 
judicious now needs much modification. Now when the 
farmer goes to the market with his beef, his pork, or his 
butter, — articles from which he used to expect to raise 
cash to meet his taxes and other necessary payments, — 



30 mr. proctor's address. 

he there finds it forestalled by the products of the valleys 
beyond the mountains, — where the fields are waiting to 
be sown, and the forests of hundreds of years, have en- 
riched them to overflowing. How can the farmer here 
compete with the farmer there, in raising pork, with corn 
at one dollar per bushel ; — when there it can be obtain- 
ed at one quarter part of this sum, and when raised it 
can be transported to our market at one quarter ot a cent 
per pound ? And so with wheat, with corn, and many- 
other articles on which the farmer used to rely for his 
income, and for raising the means for paying for his lands. 
For so it is that most of those at the age of fifty, who 
are found to be in the possession of their own acres, in 
the most thriving condition, have purchased these acres 
with their own earnings. In the agricultural, as in the 
trading community, property will not adhere that is not 
cemented by labor. The young man, therefore, who 
sets out to be a farmer, must look about him and see 
how farming can be supported. What kind of crops 
there are that will pay for themselves, and something 
more. He must so manage as to make both ends meet. 
I cannot too strongly urge upon him the necessity of 
keeping accurate minutes of what he does ; — and of 
making exact estimates of the result of his labors and 
experiments. Nothing is more detrimental to good hus- 
bandry than uncertain conjectures. Though the result 
of our operations may not correspond with our wishes 
or expectations, we should not close our eyes upon the 
facts. Truth, exact truth, will ever support itself and 
him who cherishes it. I would not by any means dis- 
courage the farmer in his labors by these suggestions ; 
but would exhort him to vary his culture ; look about 
him for a market ; select such articles for cultivation as 
the demand requires ; so that when driven from one po- 
sition, he may have another of more security in reserve. 
Those are said to be the wisest commanders in war who 
make certain a safe retreat. 

The implements and tools to be used by the farmer 
demand much more attention than is usually given to 
them. The difference between the application of labor 



MR. proctor's address. \ 31 

with tools of good construction, adapted to the purpose, 
and with tools of bad construction, may be the entire 
difference between a successful and a ruinous husbandry. 
This has been before remarked in regard to the plough. 
In many other branches of labor have there been almost 
equal improvements. Instance the gathering of hay, by 
the use of the horse rake. If I am rightly informed three 
fourths of the labor of raking may be saved by it. This 
is a matter of great consequence, when time is so valuable 
as in the haying season. The cultivator too does much, 
when properly applied, in a short time, far better than 
it can be otherwise done. The roller, how few of our 
farmers rightly understand the advantages to be derived 
from this ! In the most approved processes of managing- 
lands, a roller is as indispensable as a plough. Still I 
doubt whether half our farmers have ever had one on 
their farms. Many other less prominent implements 
have been equally improved, and demand of the farmer 
who would labor to best advantage to be brought into 
use. The grand difference between a thriving farmer, 
and one that does not thrive, is — the one looks out for 
the fractions, the other does not. In farming, nothing 
should be lost ; nothing should be neglected ; every- 
thing should be done at the proper time ; every thing 
should be put in its proper place ; every thing should 
be performed by its proper implement. When these 
rules are observed, the farmer will surely prosper — 
though his gains may be slow, they will be certain and 
sure. His dividends are under his own control, and are 
not liable to embezzlement. 

Among the improvements of a few years past, there are 
none that promise more, than those in the cultivation of 
grass; — a crop of greater value and extent than any 
other to the Essex farmer. A crop that demands a par- 
ticular notice at an Exhibition in Ipswich, distinguished 
before all other places in the County for its hay {Prod- 
ucts. The peculiarity of this culture, first brought tp 
the notice of the public by Mr. Phinney, is, that the land 
is continued in grass, year after year, without the inter- 
vention of any other crop, except occasionally Indian 



32 MR. proctor's address. 

corn. How long this can be done remains to be proved. 
Thus far it has succeeded well. It is done by turning 
the furrows flat, rolling them smooth, harrowing or cross- 
ploughing, or both, without disturbing the sod, applying 
compost manures and the seed upon the surface and har- 
rowing it in. This process is repeated as often as the 
land demands a coating of manure. The land is kept 
in a light and favorable condition for supporting the crops, 
by the decaying vegetable matter that was upon the sur- 
face. This mode of culture is somewhat at variance 
with the system of rotation of crops, which has been so 
generally recommended as essential to good husbandry. 
The best specimens of this culture that I have seen, 
have been on the farms of Mr. W. Sutton, of Salem, and 
Mr. D. P. King, of Danvers, to which I refer the curious 
to examine, as affording a better illustration of the ben- 
efits, than in my power to give. 

Another modification in the cultivation of grass which 
has been successfully practised by Mr. D. Putnam, of 
Danvers, and others, and which is now coming into gen- 
eral favor, is by sowing the seed among the corn at 
the last hoeing — taking care to have the ground left in 
a level and smooth condition. Repeated experiments 
have shown that the old practice of raising a hill about 
the corn is not attended with any benefit. If then, the 
smooth culture of the corn will aid in bringing the lands 
into good conditionfor grass, which is the primary ob- 
ject in view, — our crops of barley, oats and rye being 
raised merely as secondary objects of attention, — does 
it not behove our farmers to inquire whether their grass 
seed cannot be advantageously sown in the Summer or 
Autumn, without any intermediate crop of English 
grain ? When thus sown it is much more certain of 
taking root, and in much less danger of being cut off, by 
the burning sun, which usually follows the removal of 
crops of grain. I have adverted to these modes of grass 
culture more for the purpose of inviting attention to 
them, than to express any decided opinion of my own ; 
because I am sensible it is never safe to draw general 
conclusions, from a limited number of experiments. 



MR. proctor's address. 33 

The comparative value of crops raised for the feeding 
of cattle, &c, has been a prominent object for which 
premiums have been offered by this society, but without 
producing any satisfactory experiments. This would 
seem to be an object deserving attention, as without 
this knowledge the farmer is playing a game of chance, 
without knowing the value of what he raises.* 

In bes owing the bounty of the State upon the Agri- 
cultural societies, it was done on condition " that such 
encouragement should be annually offered as seemed 
best adapted to increase and perpetuate an adequate 
supply of ship timber within the Commonwealth." The 
letter of the condition has been complied with ; — but 
what has been the result 1 Where is the tree now grow- 
ing that started into being in consequence of this boun- 
ty? Where is the cultivated plantation of oaks, even 
to the extent of a single acre within the County ? Our 
records show hundreds of dollars offered for their en- 
couragement, and occasional awards for hopeful promi- 
ses ; but I fear that the time is far distant, when it will 
be in our power to use the fruits of these bounties in de- 
fence of our shores. 

* In the report of the Commissioner of Patents, for 1843, p. 120, is the fol- 
lowing tubular statement, which will afford some light, until we ascertain 
for ourselves with more certainty. One hundred pounds of good hay are 
equal to 

275 lbs. of green Indian corn, 

442 " " rye straw, 

164 " " oat straw, 

153 " " pea stalk, 

201 " " raw potatoes, 

175 " " boiled potatoes, 

339 " " mangel wurtzel, 

504 " " turnips, 

54 " " rye, 

40 " " wheat, 

50 " " oats, 

45 " " peas or beans, 

04 " " buck wheat, 

57 " " Indian corn, 

68 " " acorns, 

105 " " wheat bran, 

109 " " rye bran, 

107 " " wheat, pea, and oat chaff, 

179 " " rye and barley chaff, 

16 lbs. of hay is equal to 32 lbs. of potatoes ; and 14 lbs of boiled potatoes 
will allow of the diminution of 8 lbs. of hay. 

5 



34 MR. proctor's address. 

Curiosity led me a few weeks since to inquire for the 
plantation in Hamilton, for which the State bounty of 
one hundred dollars was awarded about forty-five years 
since. By the aid of a friend I found the place, but the 
trees were few and far between. 

Were our Legislators entirely in the wrong in sup- 
posing the cultivation of such trees to be a desirable ob- 
ject ? Or does the mistake lie with the proprietor of 
tha soil ? That timber trees are indispensably neces- 
sary for the convenience, prosperity and safety of the 
nation, will be admitted by all. That they can be suc- 
cessfully cultivated, with proper attention applied, is 
equally clear. Why then is it not done? Why has it 
happened that all the attempts have proved abortive? 
In what manner could Essex farmers better consult the 
permanent interests of their children, than by planting 
trees? Grounds so rough and rocky as to be unfit for 
tillage, and we have many acres such, can in no way be 
so profitably improved. In Kngland and Scotland are 
hundreds of acres of forests now growing, in most thrifty 
condition, that were planted by the hand of man. Shall 
not the independent Yeomanry of New England, the 
tenants of their own soil, have equal confidence in the 
stability of their institutions, and the propriety of provid- 
ing for the benefit of those who may come after them, 
as do those who toil to plant where they never can 
own? Perhaps the uncertainty of the tenure of our es- 
tates, and the still greater uncertainty of the disposition 
of the rising generation to be willing to follow the hum- 
ble but honorable occupation of their fathers, has deter- 
red many from venturing upon experiments, the benefits 
of which could not he realized while they lived. Such 
a policy is short sighted, and unworthy enlightened 
citizens. What consequence is it whether our acres 
are inherited by our sons or others, if they are but 
rightly used? Does not this jealousy of feeling operate 
in a manner to alienate the affections from the paternal 
estate? Are not the ever changing movements of the age 
unfavorable to permanent valuable improvements? 

The cultivation of trees generally, whether for orna- 



mk. proctor's ADDRESS. 3-5 

ment, for fruit, or for timber, is an object that demands 
much more attention than has been given to it. I have 
not time to speak as I would like, of the cultivation of 
fruit trees, — of the increasing attention lately given to 
the subject. — of the many and valuable varieties of 
apples, pears, kc. cultivated by our horticultural friends 
in Salem, Lynn, Haverhill, and other towns; — but can 
simply say, that there is no branch of husbandry that 
yields a more certain and ample reward, and that the 
demand for good fruits of every description seems to be 
in advance of the supply. 

Very early in the history of the Society were facts 
stated by Dr. Nichols, in relation to the cultivation of 
the locust tree, highly worthy of regard. Having myself 
witnessed similar facts, I am fully persuaded that in no 
way can our barren and gravelly pastures be so advan- 
tageously used, as by covering them with the locust, 
which may readily be done, either by planting the seed, 
or by here and there transplanting a tree, and allowing 
them to spread, as they are much inclined to do. Lands 
thus managed I have known to yield posts and rail road 
sleepers, that sold for more than one hundred dollars 
per acre, for ten acres together, within forty years from 
the first planting, — which during this period had been 
of more value for pasturing in consequence of the trees 
growing thereon. For it is a fact, that the feed both in 
quantity and quality, under and about the locust tree, is 
better than where there are no trees. Take into view 
also the increasing demand for this kind of timber, for 
rail roads, fencing, trunnels for ships, and other purpos- 
es, and the rapidity of its growth, advancing so rapidly 
that those who plant may gather, and it will not be easy 
to find an object more worthy the attention of the own- 
ers of such unproductive lands. 

Suppose our farmers should set out rows of the locust, 
the sugar maple, the ash, the elm, or the larch, by the 
borders of their fields, by their pasture fences, or by the 
road side, — and in this way start a growing from fifty to 
one hundred trees to each of their acres, — would their 
other crops in any manner be prejudiced thereby ? — 



3f) MR. proctor's address. 

Would not the verdure and beauty of the scenery more 
than balance all inconveniencies ? Let these trees con- 
tinue to grow, for one generation only, and the trees 
themselves would be of more value, thr.n the land on 
which they were planted. Let them be planted in the 
streets of villages, and about dwellings, as seems to be 
the growing taste of the public, and they will have a 
value almost beyond estimate.* 

The cultivation of the mulbury tree, for the making 
of silk, demands a passing notice in the history of the 
efforts of this society. Much pains has been taken to 
bring this subject before the public, and many efforts 
have been made to diffuse information, and to encourage 
the culture. I regret to say that the present condition 
of this culture, in this County, so far as I have been able 
to learn it, does not warrant sanguine hopes of much 
benefit accruing therefrom. Numerous premiums have 
been offered and awarded for nurseries and trees in va- 
rious stages of their growth, and numerous experiments 
have been made, notices of which have been given to the 
public ; but I am not able to refer to any cultivator who 
has a plantation in successful growth, or to any individ- 
ual who has realized a fair remuneration for his labor. 
Visionary theories have taken the place of established 
facts. Fanciful estimates, of well balanced accounts. 
It should be remembered that plants attain to highest 
perfection for all useful purposes, in the climate and soil 
where they are found indigenous ; and that the further 
they are removed from these, the greater is the uncer- 
tainty of their success. The application of this princi- 
ple will lead to the selection of those species and varie- 
ties that are best adapted to our climate and soil. If 
any such can be found that will endure and flourish, from 
year to year, without special nursing or hot-bed forcing, 

* In three instances within my observation have I known the ravages of fire 
stopped by the shady elms. This was distinctly so in the destructive fire of 
Sept, 22, '43, at Danvers, which was prevented passing from the Church to 
the easterly side of the way, by several thrifty elms that had been set only about 
twenty years. Had it not been stayed in this manner, the whole village must 
have been consumed. A similar event happened at Gloucester but a few years 
since. Surely such facts should prompt to the cultivation of such trees. 



MR. PROCTOR S ADDRESS. 



37 



then may the fingers of the young and the feeble be ad- 
vantageously applied to picking the leaves of the mul- 
berry, and to aiding the labors of the most perfect of all 
manufacturers, the silk worm. Until some such variety 
can be naturalized in our soil (and of this I will not des- 
pair,) I shall have little hope of this culture.* 

Repeatedly has the propriety and expediency of the 
establishment of schools for the instruction of young 
men in the science and practice of agriculture been agi- 
tated. So often has this been adverted to in public ad- 
dresses, were it not for its intrinsic importance, I should 
hardly feel justified in again introducing it. The Acad- 
emies at By field and at Andover, have been presented 
to your notice, with all the plausibility that the eloquence 
of a late President^ or the ingenuity of a learned Pro- 
fessorj could suggest ; but still we have none of their 
graduates at our festivals ; — we grope on still without 
the illumination of their rays. Why is this ? Is the idea 
of instructing young men in a business that is to occupy 
their time for life a fanciful one, that cannot be carried 
into practical operation ? Such is not true of other em- 
ployments. Who that has a son destined to be a car- 
penter, a blacksmith, or even a manufacturer of cloths, 
or of shoes, hesitates to appropriate years of his time to 
qualify him in his art ? And does the farmer's art de- 
mand less instruction ? The mistake lies in a misappre- 
hension of the qualifications requisite in a farmer, and 
in the manner these qualifications are to be acquired. 
If farmers heretofore have been deterred from placing 
their sons at school as proposed, by their want of confi- 
dence in those who conducted such schools, because 
they did not exhibit the hardened hands and sinewy 
limbs requisite for the handling of stone, or holding the 

* From the. abundant reservoir of facts annually furnished by the Commis- 
sioner of Patents, we learn thai 315,965 pounds of cocoons were raised within 
the United States the past year. This would seem to justify the belief that 
some parts of our country are favorable to the growing of silk ; and that all 
that is wanted is more care in the selection and adaptation of the varieties to 
the different parts. 

f Hon. E. Moseley, of Newbwryport. 

X Rev. A. Gray, of Andover. 



38 MR. proctor's address. 

breaking-up plough, — or were arrayed in black coats 
and kid gloves, instead of woollen frocks and leathern 
aprons ; — let the farmers themselves take the direction 
into their own hands, and govern them in a manner that 
shall be practically wise. 

Here may I be permitted to make a suggestion, which 
seems to me capable of being advantageously applied. 
It is to make it a part of the course of instruction in our 
common schools to learn the elements of agricultural 
science, the constituents of soils and manures, the 
geological formation of the earth, the physiology of 
plants, and the philosophy of vegetation. I do not sup- 
pose that all boys at school can fully comprehend these 
subjects, in which the wisest can ever find some- 
thing new ; but they can acquire the original elements, 
and when once impressed on the youthful mind with 
proper illustrations, they will never be entirely effaced. 
Like nursery tales they will constantly be recurring to 
recollection, for instruction and delight. The modern 
system of teaching useful ideas at the same time that 
boys are taught to read and to parse, is worthy the at- 
tention of those who direct these matters; — and what 
more useful ideas can be selected than those which are 
essential to be known by a large majority of the people? 
We have our grammars and text books simplified to the 
lowest degree on every other subject; — why should there 
not be such on agriculture ? Would there be any diffi- 
culty in collecting a cabinet of specimens in each of these 
schools for the illustration of all these subjects ? Let 
it be known that these things were to be taught, and 
then teachers would take care to be prepared to teach. 
In what manner could a Dana, a Jackson, or a Gkay, 
who have by their publications, manifested so much abil- 
ity to instruct the farmers themselves, better add to their 
well earned reputation of public benefactors, than by 
preparing an agricultural catechism for common schools? 
One adapted to the instruction of the pupil, rather than 
a display of the knowledge of the author. And how 
could our learned Board of Kducation, whose peculiar 
duty it is to cherish these institutions, which are the pride 



mk. proctor's address. 39 

and glory of New Kngland, better advance the interests 
of the Commonwealth, than by making such a work a 
part of the requisite studies in all our schools ? He that 
contributes to elevate the condition of the farmer, im- 
proves the main pillar of the State. 

While penning these remarks, a notice came to hand 
of a liberal appropriation by the State of New York, a 
glorious State, always ready to go ahead in every good 
work, for the establishment of a State Agricultural 
School. Shall Massachusetts be out-done in a work so 
essential to her best interests? We admire that liberal- 
ity which has founded and cherished the many noble 
Institutions of learning and benevolence with which she 
is blessed, and blessing the afflicted and unfortunate. — 
To her immortal glory will her charities to the deaf, the 
blind, and the insane, be ever held in remembrance. 
But is there not a necessity for something more directly 
to be done for that class which constitutes the major 
part of her population? Without a common centre, 
without a fountain from which teachers are to be drawn, 
we shall look in vain for those qualified to teach. We 
want practical instruction. We want that kind of in- 
struction which is calculated to qualify young men in 
the best manner for the real business of life. We want 
Institutions that shall combine theory with practice, so 
regulated that when our sons graduate, they shall not 
then be under the necessity of beginning to learn. Whence 
have originated, and how have been educated, those 
practically useful men, of which our Country has most 
reason to be proud? Let the history of a Franklin, a 
Ruraford, or a Bowditch, all sons of Massachusetts, an- 
swer the inquiry. 

I cannot otherwise so forcibly express my views of the 
importance of establishing agricultural schools, as by 
quoting the language of that most eminent friend of the 
farmer, and of man, in his last address, delivered at 
New Haven in 1839 — the late Judge Buel of Albany. 
" I pretend not," says he, " to the spirit of prophecy, 
yet I venture to predict, that many who now hear me, 
will live to see professional schools of agriculture estab- 



40 MR. proctor's address. 

lished in our land; to see their utility extolled; and to 
be induced to consider them the best nurseries for re- 
publican virtue, and the surest guarantee for the perpe- 
tuity of our liberties." 

Accurate observers have estimated that more than 
half the young men from the country who have left the 
rural pursuits of their fathers, for the more fascinating 
and promising employments of the city, have either been 
ensnared in the nets of vice there spread at every cor- 
ner, or been made frantic with the visionary dreams of 
speculation, so that before the meridian of life, ruin has 
been their destiny. Have we any reason to expect bet- 
ter things in future ? Is there such an improvement in 
the moral condition of our cities as to allay our fears ? 
If heretofore, one half have been lost, what is now the 
prospect ? Let the wise parent say which is the better, 
so to educate his sons that they may settle down around 
him, substantial, useful citizens, or send them to the 
cities to seek their fortune with the equal chance of ter- 
minating their career in infamy. 

I cannot forbear quoting a sentence on this subject 
from an address delivered before the Berkshire Agricul- 
tural Society, in Oct. 1829, by an authority as high as 
any other in the Commonwealth — and as well entitled 
to respect. Says the orator,* "It should thus be one 
of the first and most important objects of the farmer, 
after having familiarized his son to habits of industry, 
and instructed him in those branches of labor fitted to 
boyhood and early youth, to provide for him the means 
of a regular and systematic education, and when he shall 
have finished his course of education, instead of indulging 
the delusive hope of deriving honor or success by entering 
into those learned professions which are already crowded 
to overflowing, and dividing the profits of a dunning let- 
ter with some hungry brother of the bar, or mounting the 
same steed with some half starved disciple of iEsculapi- 
us, let him return to the pursuits of early life and become 
the industrious, intelligent, and independent farmer." 

* George N. Briggs, Esq., — the present Governor of the Commonwealth. 



MR. PROCTOlt's ADDRESS. 41 

In glancing at prominent incidents in the history of 
this Society, the aid it has received from the Clergy of 
the County, should not be passed unnoticed. At its 
commencement they were all freely admitted honorary 
members. From many of them have we received much 
useful instruction, both in their learned discussions of 
agricultural topics, and their practical application of the 
principles taught. From none more than our venerable 
friend at Bradford,* who is always at his post ready to 
serve in the cabinet or the field. The pages of our 
journals will fully sustain this remark. Such examples 
of practical and elaborate usefulness are an honor to the 
profession. Not less are we indebted to our friend now 
in Europe,f who having drained our own Commonwealth, 
and drawn deeply upon the inexhaustible fountains of the 
Empire State, is now laboring with his characteristic 
ardor to amuse and enlighten the world. Gladly would 
I have adverted to some of the interesting hints and facts 
with which he has lately favored us, in his view of the 
present state of agriculture in England. But they must 
not be marred by abridgment. 

With the Clergy it mainly rests, whether agriculture 
shall continue to flourish and advance. Diffused as they 
are in every village and corner of the land, and holding 
the control in «• influence which should ever be conceded 
to men who fill this station, as it ought to be filled ; if 
they would but lend their counsel for the introduction of 
new improvements, and apply their hours of leisure in 
practical illustrations of them, they would add much to 
their benign influence upon those under their charge ; — 
and indirectly increase the fleeces on the flocks from which 
they are to be clothed. Was it not a good custom of our 
fathers, when they settled their minister (for life, as all 
such settlements should be,) to provide him with a man- 
sion and a few acres for tillage, upon which, by his own 
industry, he could raise a portion of those little comforts so 
convenient to all? By thus dividing their labors between 

* Rev. G. B. Perry, 
t Rev. H. Colman. 

6 



42 MR. proctor's address. 

the garden and the study, they found themselves greatly 
benefitted in the products of the one, and in the superior 
ability to discharge the duties of the other. 

Farmers of Essex, — Notwithstanding the many ob- 
stacles with which you have to contend, in the compar- 
atively hard and unfertile character of your soil, — in the 
tedious and protracted labors of the winter, — in the oc- 
casional interruptions of your crops by drought or by 
frosts, — and in the competition from the overflowing 
superabundance of other climes more favored ; — still 
you have much reason to rejoice and be content with 
your condition. First of all — that you are freemen — 
and all around you are so. The curse of slavery does 
not, and cannot exist on your soil. That spirit of liber- 
ty which animated the breasts of our pilgrim fathers, 
when they abandoned their homes and friends, most dear 
for conscience' sake, by the patriotic efforts of their most 
distinguished son* in our courts of justice, secured to us 
this boon forever. No one circumstance has contributed 
more than this to elevate the character of the people of 
Massachusetts. Happy are we even now, in the vigor- 
ous protection of this palladium of our liberties, by the 
manly efforts of his descendants, not less distinguished. 
When services like these shall be forgotten, then will 
freedom cease to be worthy of remembrance. 

Congratulate yourselves on the general prevalence of 
the sound conservative principles of liberty, integrity 
and law, that pervade this community. Where on the 
face of the globe can there be found a people, in the sta- 
bility of whose institutions more confidence can be placed 
than in those of the good old County of Essex ? When 
has it been known that popular phrenzy or misguided 
fanaticism were here to any considerable extent trium- 
phant ? When did the people of Essex ever presume 
to be wiser than the law ? Who ever for a moment 
questioned the entire security of life, liberty, and prop- 
erty within our borders ? Of what avail is it that there 
are other lands, watered with crystal streams, warmed 

* Hon. John Adams, in 1765, at Boston. 



MR. proctor's address. 43 

with a milder sun, and regaled with ambrosial breezes, 
if these rights are insecure ? Have we not still ringing 
in our ears, from the favored paradise of the atlantic 
shores, the city of brotherly love, and from the fertile 
prairies of the west, rumors that make our nerves rigid 
with horror, and chill the blood within us ? Who for 
a moment would exchange the peaceful security of the 
New England farmer's cottage, for the splendor of a 
palace thus surrounded ? Be content then, with the lot 
assigned you, and avail yourselves of all the means at 
your command for its improvement. Who but the far- 
mer did the poet contemplate, when he wrote 

" Reason's whole pleasure, all the joys of sense, 
Lie in three words, health peace, and competence.'''' 

Contrast for one moment, the condition of the Massa- 
chusetts farmer with the farmer in England, as given 
by Mr. Colman in his report just published. There, 
rarely if ever, does he own a rod of the soil that he cul- 
tivates ; — burdened with an annual rent that would al- 
most purchase the acres here, — subject to the whim 
and caprice of an aristocratic landlord, whom he dare 
not approach, except by gracious permission, — the won- 
der is, that he has a heart to labor at all, — or even to 
superintend the labor of others. I now speak of the 
higher class of farmers, who rent the lands of the lords 
above them. If you look at those who actually do the 
labor, you there find the ditcher, ditcher for life ; — the 
ploughman, incapacitated for any other employment, — 
with a mind as void of intelligence as the horses he 
drives ; — and all with such limited means of sustenance 
and support, as never for a moment to indulge the hope 
of a shelter from the storm, that they may call their own. 
Such things may be endured where better are not known. 
But such things will not be endured by those who have 
inhaled the breezes that wave over our rock-bound 
shores. 

England, who boasts of her abhorrence of enslaving the 
Africans, to her honor be it ever remembered, at the same 
time degrades her own sons with a more servile slavery. 



44 MR. proctor's address. 

Wonder not that reform is contemplated ; — humanity 
demands it; — the spirit of liberty demands it ; — Christi- 
anity demands it. Let it come — come it must. 

Have we not cause of congratulation in the improved 
moral and social condition around us ? Is it not true 
among farmers as with others, that their customs and hab- 
its have materially changed for the better within a few 
years ? Twenty-five years since, and nine-tenths of our 
farmers were more or less in bondage to alcohol. I do 
not mean that so many of them were intemperate, in the 
ordinary sense of the term, but that they were in the 
habit of using that which was not necessary to be used — 
to the great detriment of themselves and their estates. 
Where will the farmer now be found, who will unblush- 
ingly say, before he commences his haying, that he must 
lay in as many gallons, or even quarts of spirit, as he ex- 
pects to cure tons of hay ? Or that his men cannot com- 
mence mowing in the morning, without their bitters; — 
proceed at eleven o'clock without their grog; — or load 
in the afternoon, without their bumper; — not to mention 
the grosser indulgences of the evening. Time was, 
when these customs, by whatever name they were call- 
ed, were as familiar as household gods. When even the 
sober man thought that some was necessary in haying — 
especially in going to the meadows, or the marsh. But 
manners have changed with times ;— what was once al 
most a universal custom, is now only to be countenancei 
for medicinal purposes, and then with sound discretion. 
May the change be perpetual. 

May I not congratulate you on the auspicious circum- 
stances to our country, under which you have this day 
assembled ? All classes of our fellow citizens actively 
and successfully employed. The necessaries and com- 
forts of life at command in abundance. The prices ot 
labor, such that no man in health need to be in want. 
Each of the various branches of industry in the commu- 
nity, receiving its due encouragement, under the foster- 
ing protection of our government : and in a multitude 
of ways, mutually aiding each other. The farmer feeds 
the manufacturer ; the manufacturer clothes the farm- 



MR. proctor's ADDRESS. 45 

er ; the merchant transports their commodities from 
one to the other ; and the surplus, if any, where it is 
most needed. In the body politic, as in the natural 
body, — no one part can say to the other, I have no need 
of thee ; but the united and harmonious co-operation 
of all is essential to entire success. If one is sick, 
the others will faint ; if one languishes, the others will 
decay. 

Whatever may have heretofore been thought, it is 
now admitted by all, whose opinions are of any value, 
that the vocation of the farmer is as honorable and re- 
spectable, as any other in the community. 

"Worth makes the man." 

Our most distinguished and valued citizens have been 
farmers, and esteemed it their highest honor to be con- 
sidered such. Instance the farmer of Mount Vernon; 
the farmer of North Bend; and may I not add, the far- 
mer of Ashland; to complete a trio, of which any nation 
might be proud. 

To be an honest, worthy, and intelligent farmer, is 
the highest grade of nobility ever to be desired in this 
land of equal rights. When other titles shall tower 
above this, then will our liberties be in danger. In the 
"times that tried men's souls," to whom did we look 
but to the substantial yeomanry of the country for suc- 
cor and support. Our main reliance for the protection 
of our rights, under the Providence of God, will ever 
be on the independent tenants of the soil. The home 
of the farmer is on the soil he tills ; — there he desires 
to live ; — there he expects to die ; — there he hopes will 
abide his descendants for many generations. How 
direct then his interest in the welfare of his coun- 
try ! — How ardent his hope that she may continue to 
prosper ! 

Remember that our rational enjoyments do not de- 
pend so much upon the bounties of nature, as upon our 
personal exertions to procure those enjoyments. 

Our necessity for labor is the surest protection against 
the allurements of vice. 



46 mr. proctor's address. 

When man was originally placed in the garden of Eden, 
in a condition the most favorable for happiness, in the 
power of Omnipotence to create, he was directed " to 
dress it and to keep it,'' by the application of his own 
labor ; and such has ever been his duty and his privilege, 
and ever will be, while the laws of nature shall endure. 



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